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Asparagus

Asparagus

Asparagus (Asparagus Officinalis), also known as sparrow grass, is a vegetable which has been grown from early times in ancient Egypt and in the Roman Empire. Because it is rare and pretentious to both growing and cooking conditions, the plant is considered to be a delicacy.

Description of Asparagus

Asparagus is a plant which grows spontaneously in hay fields. It is cultivated in different varieties. In the earth it has a strong rhizome. The leaves are scale shaped, and the fruits are actually linear ramifications of the stems. The flowers are small, of a whitish-green color. The fruits are of red color.

Properties of Asparagus plant

The vegetable contains phosphate and vitamin B, which gives it remineralizing and stimulating properties. Also, it has rare nutrients: copper, iron, zinc, manganese, chrome, calcium, sodium, potassium, which give it depurative, and laxative properties and make it a hepatic and renal drainer.

Treatments

Next to its qualities of being a refined vegetable, asparagus is also used in natural medicine. It is used to control some stomach affections, clean the liver, lungs and intestines of their wastes and toxins. Apart from its depurative effects, the vegetable also has a protecting action on the arteries. Consumed regularly, it prevents the development of arteriosclerosis and cleans the blood.

For cases of physical or intellectual asthenia, anemia and convalescence, the asparagus diet is recommended, consumed in its raw state.

Also, for treating cardio-vascular erythrism, the raw asparagus diet is recommended. Consuming this vegetable stimulates the decrease of glycosuria and increases diuresis, a reason why it is recommended to diabetics.

The asparagus stem has the property of eliminating toxins from the digestive trap. The pulp of the asparagus stem is used, its exterior side being first cleaned.

The asparagus root, boiled in vinegar, is used in treating paradontosis. The asparagus tea is used for its diuretic actions.

Mixtures

In order for it to be consumed, the asparagus has to be very fresh. Most often it is consumed in the form of a salad. A way of preparing this salad is: the asparagus is cleaned of fibrous threads, is washed, cut into pieces having lengths of about 4-5cm and boiled in salt water for about 20 minutes. In a bowl, the sauce formed of vinegar, oil, mustard, pepper and salt is mixed. After that the asparagus is drained and mixed with the sauce. The asparagus juice is consumed along with carrot juice, having a diuretic action.

Warning

Asparagus is not recommended to those with affections of the urinary system - cystitis, prostatitis, and gonorrhea - and neither in cases of acute articulacy rheumatism, because of its high content of purines.

There are over 300 species in the asparagus family, many are used medicinally, grown as ornaments or eaten as vegetables, the most well-known species, Asparagus officinalis, commonly referred to as just asparagus. Asparagus is a healthy vegetable and a useful diuretic and laxative. Asparagus racemosus, is the species used in India for medicinal purposes.

Asparagus How to Use

Asparagus - for :Kidney and Heart Tonic
Asparagus is a good source of vitamins C, A, B, and E. Regular consumption of this nutritious vegetable is considered tonic to all the body's systems, especially the kidneys (A gentle diuretic) and heart (lowers cholesterol).

Asparagus - for :Laxative
The virtues of Asparagus are well known as a diuretic and laxative (10)

Shatavri - for :Female Fertility and Libido
Shatavari, Asparagus racemosus, is highly regarded in Ayurveda as an herb for women's health, fertility and libido. Shatavri is an important tonic for the female reproductive systerm, and is used to treat irregular periods, for menopausal symptoms, to increase lactation, and as an aphrodisiac.Ayurvedic Medicine

- Tastes (Rashas) : - Energy (virya): - Dosha : Vata_neutral
Known in India as Shatavari, asparagus has been a treatment for infertility and lack of libido in women for thousands of years, and is regarded as one of the most important herbal tonics for women.

It appears to have been cultivated in the time of Cato the Elder, 200 years B.C., and Pliny mentions a species that grew near Ravenna, of which three heads would weigh a pound. Asparagus is noticed by Gerard in 1597, and in 1670 forced Asparagus was supplied to the London market. The virtues of Asparagus are well known as a diuretic and laxative; and for those of sedentary habits who suffer from symptoms of gravel, it has been found very beneficial, as well as in cases of dropsy. The fresh expressed juice is taken medicinally in tablespoonful doses. 2 . There is a recipe for cooking asparagus in the oldest surviving book of recipes, Apicius�s third century AD De re coquinaria, Book III. It was cultivated by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, who ate it fresh when in season and dried the vegetable for use in winter 1 The name Shatavari, refering to the species used in Ayurvedic medicine is Asparagus racemosus, is from an Indian word meaning "a woman who has a hundred husbands"

Mint

Known from antiquity, mint is a herb with curative properties. It is also used in the specific Arabian cuisine as a spice.

Description of Mint plant

Perennial herb, that spreads itself quickly, mint (Mentha piperita, Mentha spicata) has small violet or purple-white flowers that bloom all over its growing period. Depending on the type, the herb can grow up to 60 or 90cm tall. A particularity of this herb is represented by the "orange mint" that spreads a subtle orange perfume. Mint can be cultivated in any area with a temperate-continental climate. It can multiply by dividing its roots and can be planted anytime during its growing period. It tolerates sandy soil but needs to be planted in a sunny place. It needs high quantities of water, especially if the soil is argillaceous.

Properties and benefits of Mint

Because of its active compounds contained, mint has sedative, disinfectant and cicatrizing properties. It can be successfully used in gastro-intestinal disorders; it helps the liver and calms indigestion. It contains menthol, menthone, menthofuran, a-pinene, limonene, cardinene, acetic aldehide, isovaleriana, vitamin C and antibiotic substances.

Treatments

Because of its menthol, mint has a very good action over the digestive system, causing a small anesthesia of the gastric mucous membrane. It also stimulates digestion. Mint can treat diarrhea, gastric fever or toxic infections. It stimulates the biliary secretion and helps the digestion of fats. It is recommended in cases of asthma, bronchitis and the flu because of its antispasmodic and sedative properties. Sinusitis can be treated with mint also, because menthol is a vasodilatator of the nasal mucous membrane. It can be used as an inhalation in small amounts as well as for chest massages. Mental fatigue, stress, depressive states and headaches can be ameliorated if mint oil is applied over the temples and backhead. Mint oil is a powerful stimulant and tonic. Mint is recommended for the treatment of rheumatism, for disinfection of the oral pocket and in cases of ear inflammation. Due to the fact that it has an antibacterial action it can cure acne and blackheads.

Mixtures

Mint can be used to make tea, mouth rinse or mint oil.

Mint tea

To make tea, you must boil one mint spoon of leaves in 200ml of water. The tea must be drunk cold, three times a day. Mouth rinse is made out of 5g of mint oil dissolved in 95g of concentrate alcohol. This drink is refreshing, antiseptic and it can remove the unwanted smell or taste. Mint oil mixed with hot water is used to treat the flu, laryngitis and hoarseness. The product obtained from 5g of mint oil and 95g of alcohol can be used to treat rheumatic pains and itches. Rheumatism can be treated also with mint baths, obtained by boiling 200g of leaves in 3 liters of water and mixing the result with water at 37 degrees Celsius. Mint is also used as spice in the Arab cuisine. For example, a Lebanese recipe - lebneh (mint yoghurt) - is prepared by adding 2 or 3 green hashed mint leaves, 2 pieces of garlic and lemon juice in a cup of yoghurt. Mint leaves can be used also in summer drinks. Boiled vegetables will look better if they are decorated with mint leaves.

Caution

There are a few cautions regarding the use of mint oil: it is not recommended to use mint oil during pregnancy and lactation or to apply it on babies' skin. For external use, the mint oil must be diluted, no more then 30 drops of oil should be used in a skin cream.

Onion (Allium Cepa)

Was cultivated 6000 years BC in the Nile Valley.The onion contains Na, K, Ca, P, Fe and small quantities of vitamins like A, B1, B2 and C.

As a medicine it is recommended raw because through boiling it loses a large part of its main actions.

Intern: the onion is an energizer. It is also useful for edemas, cirrhosis, pleurisy, and it has antiseptic features.

Extern: it is an active remedy for stomatitis, aphtha as it has a powerful effect on staphylococcus.

Therapeutic features:

Excess of uric acid: leave overnight two crushed onions, until it is obtained a paste, in half a liter of boiled water. In the morning, filter and drink a cup of this product with some lemon juice and sweeten with honey.

Abcess, furuncle: for them to grow mellow apply on the swollen parts ripe onion and hold for 10-15 minutes. Repeat this 4-5 times a day.

Burns: for a slight burn apply on the wounded part a crushed onion mixed with a pinch of salt.

Diabetes: follow regular onion cures as it works on the pancreas. Consume raw or cooked onion at all 3 meals, daily, for a week. Repeat the cure every 3 months.

Diarrhea: boil 200 grams of onion leaves for 10 minutes in a liter of water. Consume half a liter of the obtained liquid daily.

Edema: pass through the rasp 300 grams of raw onion, then mix it with 400 grams of honey and 600 grams of white wine. Stir and take 2-4 spoonfuls a day.

Hemorrhoids: cut the onion in two and wash it, let it cool off and apply on the painful spot.

Cough, bronchitis: boil 3 cut in half onions for 8-10 minutes in half a liter of water. Filter and sweeten with honey, drink half a cup a day.

Against freckles: massage the face with apple vinegar in which a crushed onion was left to macerate for 4 hours. It can also be used onion juice mixed with warm water.